Obit: McNeely, Benjamin F. (1922 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
 
Surnames: McNeely, Charboneau, Babcock, Diehn, Walton, Ahnen, Emigh, Luther, Hanson, Jury

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co, WI) 5/08/2013

McNeely, Benjamin F. (14 May 1922 - 29 April 2013)

Benjamin F. McNeely, 90, of Black River Falls died Monday, April 29, 2013, in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield. Ben was born in Milwaukee May 14, 1922, to Ralph and Lillian (Charboneau) McNeely. He attended school in Holmen.

He married Irma Babcock April 8, 1945, in Black River Falls. Except for a brief period, the couple resided their entire married lives in Jackson County.

Ben was employed as a lineman for Jackson Electric. He also worked for General Telephone Company and the city of Black River Falls Utilities. He retired from the former Quick Electric Company.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing horseshoes. He was a beekeeper at one time. One of his hobbies was searching for treasure with his metal detector and documenting what he found.

Surviving Ben are his wife Irma; one son Steven ”Snicker” (Maria) McNeely, and one daughter, Carol (Steve) Diehn, both of black River Falls; two half brothers, Arvid (Delores) Walton, Black River Falls, and Frank G. (Bonnie) Walton, Alma Center; four grandchildren, Kim (Paul) Ahnen, Dan (Heather) Diehn, Kelly (Brad) Emigh, and Tyler McNeely; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Patricia McNeely Luther; one sister and brother in law, Janet and Jim Hanson; three brothers, Harold Chester and Ralph; and one half-brother, Carl J. Walton, Jr.

Memorial funeral services for Benjamin F. “Ben” McNeely were held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2013, from the Black River Falls United Methodist Church. Services were conducted by Pastor Kathleen Jury, and burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls. Relatives and friends called at Torgerson’s Funeral Home Thursday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the church Friday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of services.